Method and Apparatus to Enable Communication and Control in a Power System

ABSTRACT

A network unit may be operatively attached to power lines of an interconnected power system and/or a device such as a power module that may further include a communication interface. The network unit may be operable to superimpose a first signal representative of a sensed parameter of the power system onto the power lines, thereby to transmit the first signal to other power modules in the interconnected power system or to a power device in interconnected power system. The network unit may receive a second signal of the parameter superimposed onto the power lines from another network unit.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 62/509,411, filed May 22, 2017, entitled “Method and Apparatus toEnable Communication and Control in a Power System”, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Generally, PLC (Power Line Communication) is a method that transmits acommunication signal modulated using a carrier wave on powerdistribution lines of a power system installed outdoors or indoors.Distribution lines are used to enable the transmission and reception ofsignals, and the information provided in those signals is used forvarious purposes related to the power system.

SUMMARY

The following is a short summary of some of the inventive concepts forillustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit or constrainthe inventions and examples in the detailed description. One skilled inthe art will recognize other novel combinations and features from thedetailed description.

Illustrative embodiments disclosed herein may include a system used tosupply power to a load, a storage device and/or one or more directcurrent (DC) to direct current converters and/or one or more DC toalternating current (AC) converters (e.g., inverters, micro-inverters).The system may include various devices and may implement methods for thedevices to enable communication within the system and with othersystems. The system may include various interconnections of groups of DCpower sources that also may be connected in various series, parallel,series parallel, and/or parallel series combinations, for example.

In some illustrative embodiments disclosed herein, a power linecommunication (PLC) device may be magnetically coupled to power lines,and the magnetic coupling might not require direct electrical connectionto the power lines. As such, the PLC devices may be attached andre-attached at various locations in a power system as part of a possibleretrofit of the power system in order to provide monitoring and controlof the power system.

In some illustrative embodiments disclosed herein, a PLC device may beintegrated as part of an electrical device, such as a string combinerbox where safety devices and termination blocks are used to connectpower cables of strings of interconnected power sources together as partof a power system. The string combiner box may include additionalconnections to power modules, controllers and their connections to thesafety devices and termination blocks for example. The PLC devices mayconnect to the power cables and may enable communications betweenvarious parts of the power system in order to provide monitoring andcontrol of the various devices within the power system.

As noted above, this Summary is merely a summary of some of the featuresdescribed herein. It is not exhaustive, and it is not to be a limitationon the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, claims, and drawings. The present disclosure is illustratedby way of example, and not limited by, the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1A illustrates a power system, according to one or moreillustrative embodiments.

FIG. 1B shows further details of a power module, according to one ormore illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 1C shows a buck+boost circuit implementation for a power circuit,according to one or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 2A shows an isometric view of a network unit, according to one ormore illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 2B shows an isometric view of a network unit, according to one ormore illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 2C, 2D and 2E show further details of network units, according toone or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 2F shows an isometric view of a network unit, according to one ormore illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 2G shows an isometric view of a magnetic core, according to one ormore illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 2H shows a plan view of a network unit, according to one or moreillustrative embodiments.

FIG. 2I shows a cross sectional view of a network unit, according to oneor more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 3A shows another isometric view of details of a network unit,according to one or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 3B shows multiple network units attached to a mounting plate,according to one or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 3C shows multiple network units mounted in a connection box,according to one or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 4A shows a block diagram of a power system, according to one ormore illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 4B shows further details of a network unit, according to one ormore illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various illustrative embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, variousembodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It isto be understood that other embodiments may be used and structural andfunctional modifications may be made, without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

The term “multiple” as used here in the detailed description indicatesthe property of having or involving several parts, elements, or members.The claim term “a plurality of” as used herein in the claims sectionfinds support in the description with use of the term “multiple” and/orother plural forms. Other plural forms may include for example regularnouns that form their plurals by adding either the letter ‘s’ or ‘es’ sothat the plural of converter is converters or the plural of switch isswitches for example.

Reference is made to FIG. 1A, which shows a block diagram of a powersystem 100, according one or more illustrative embodiments. A connectionconfiguration 111 of the power system 100 may include multiple powersources 101 with direct current (DC) output terminals connected to theinput terminals of power modules 103. DC output terminals of powermodules 103 in connection configuration 111 may be connected in serieswith power lines 120 to form a series string of power module 103outputs. Multiple connection configurations 111 may be connected inparallel across the input of power device 107. Power device 107 mayinclude, for example, a direct current (DC) to DC converter, a DC stringcombiner box, and/or a DC to alternating current (AC) inverter supplyingpower to load 109. Load 109 may be, for example, a battery, analternating current (AC) grid or a DC grid, or a DC to AC inverter.

A network unit 112 may be attached to power lines 120 at variouslocations such as the top of a series string of power module 103outputs, at connection nodes A and/or B, or at an input to power device107. In general, any number of network units 112 may be attached topower lines 120 at any number of locations of power system 100. Theattachment of network units 112 to power lines 120 may includeelectrical-mechanical and electromagnetic-mechanical mechanisms.Descriptions below concerning other network units consider includeoptoelectronic-mechanical mechanisms.

Network unit 112 may be used to enable communication of both transmittedand received signals between power modules 103 and/or between powermodules 103 and power devices 107, for example. The signals transmittedand received may include control signals, signals which identify aparticular power module 103 and/or power device 107, signalsrepresenting a parameter (e.g., voltage, current, power, coulombiccharge, level of solar irradiance or temperature) sensed at variouslocations in power system 100. According to various features describedbelow, network units 112 may also be integrated into power modules 103,power lines 120 and/or power devices 107.

In the descriptions that follow, by way of non-limiting example, powersource 101 may be a photovoltaic (PV) generator (for example, a PV cell,a series string of PV cells, a parallel connection of serially connectedPV strings of PV cells, a photovoltaic or solar panel), a DC generator,a battery, or a fuel cell. Load 109 may be variously implemented, forexample, using a battery, super capacitor, flywheel and/orULTRABATTERY™. Load 109 may comprise one or more DC load circuits. Powerdevice 107 may comprise communication equipment (e.g., a cellularbase-station) or other devices deployed in a location that might not beconnected to an electrical grid. Power source 101 may be, for example, awind turbine that produces alternating current (AC), and power modules103 may serve as AC-to-DC converters such as rectifiers and/or includeuse of switched mode power supply, for example.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1B, which illustrates circuitry that maybe found in a power device such as power module 103, according to anillustrative embodiment. Power module 103 may be similar to or the sameas power device 107 shown in FIG. 1A. In some embodiments, power module103 may include power circuit 135. Power circuit 135 may include adirect current to direct current (DC/DC) converter such as a Buck,Boost, Buck/Boost, Buck+Boost, Cuk, Flyback, and/or forward converter.In some embodiments, power circuit 135 may include a directcurrent—alternating current (DC/AC) converter (also known as aninverter), such as a micro-inverter. Power circuit 135 may have twoinput terminals and two output terminals, which may be the same as theinput terminals and output terminals of power module 103. In someembodiments, power circuit 135 might be featured with the two inputterminals of power module 103 directly coupled to the two outputterminals of power module 103 so that power module 103 functions withoutpower conversion. In some embodiments, power circuit 135 may feature aswitch to disconnect the input terminals from the output terminals. Insome embodiments, power module 103 may include Maximum Power PointTracking (MPPT) circuit 138, which is configured to extract increasedpower from a power source the power device is coupled to. In someembodiments, power circuit 135 may include MPPT functionality. In someembodiments, MPPT circuit 138 may implement impedance matchingalgorithms to extract increased power from a power source the powerdevice is coupled to. Power module 103 may further include controller105 such as a microprocessor, Digital Signal Processor (DSP),Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), and/or a FieldProgrammable Gate Array (FPGA).

Referring still to FIG. 1B, controller 105 may control and/orcommunicate with other elements of power module 103 over common bus 190.In some embodiments, power module 103 may include circuitry and/orsensors/sensor interfaces 125 configured to measure parameters directlyor receive measured parameters from connected sensors and/or sensorinterfaces configured to measure parameters on or near the power source,such as the voltage and/or current output by the power source and/or thepower output by the power source. In some embodiments, the power sourcemay be a photovoltaic (PV) generator comprising PV cells, and a sensorunit (e.g., one or more sensors and/or sensor interfaces) may directlymeasure or receive measurements of the irradiance received by the PVcells, and/or the temperature on or near the PV generator.

Referring still to FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, power module 103 mayinclude communication interface 129, which is configured to transmitand/or receive data and/or commands from other devices. Communicationinterface 129 may communicate using Power Line Communication (PLC)technology that enables sending data over existing power cables, orwireless technologies such as ZigBee™ Wi-Fi, cellular communication orother wireless methods. Communication interface 129 may also include amechanism for opto-electronic communication that includes optical fibersto convey data and/or commands from other devices.

In some embodiments, power module 103 may include memory device 123, forlogging measurements taken by sensor(s)/sensor interfaces 125 to storecode, operational protocols or other operating information. Memorydevice 123 may be Flash, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (EEPROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Solid State Devices (SSD),or other types of appropriate memory devices.

Referring still to FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, power module 103 mayinclude safety devices 160 (e.g., fuses, circuit breakers and ResidualCurrent Detectors). Safety devices 160 may be passive or active. Forexample, safety devices 160 may include one or more passive fusesdisposed within power module 103 and designed to melt when a certainamount of current flows through it, disconnecting part of power module103 to avoid damage. In some embodiments, safety devices 160 may includeactive disconnect switches, which are configured to receive commandsfrom a controller (e.g., controller 105, or an external controller) todisconnect portions of power module 103, or configured to disconnectportions of power module 103 in response to a measurement measured by asensor (e.g., a measurement measured or obtained by sensors/sensorinterfaces 125). In some embodiments, power module 103 may includeauxiliary power circuit 162, which is configured to receive power from apower source coupled to power module 103, and output power suitable foroperating other circuitry components (e.g., controller 105,communication interface 129, etc.). Communication, electrical couplingand/or data-sharing between the various components of power module 103may be carried out over common bus 190.

Referring still to FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, power module 103 mayinclude bypass unit Q9 coupled between the inputs of power circuit 135and/or between the outputs of power circuit 135. Bypass unit Q9 and/orpower circuit 135 may be a junction box to terminate power lines 120 orto provide a safety feature such as fuses or residual current devices.Bypass unit Q9 may also be an isolation switch, for example. Bypassunits Q9 may be controlled by controller 105. If an unsafe condition isdetected, controller 105 may set bypass unit Q9 to ON, short-circuitingthe input and/or output of power circuit 135. In a case in which powersources 101 are photovoltaic (PV) generators, each PV generator providesan open-circuit voltage at its output terminals. When bypass unit Q9 isON, the PV generator connected to module 103 may be short-circuited, toprovide a voltage of about zero to power circuit 135. In both scenarios,a safe voltage may be maintained, and the two scenarios may be staggeredto alternate between open-circuiting and short-circuiting PV generators.This mode of operation may allow continuous power supply to systemcontrol devices, as well as provide backup mechanisms for maintaining asafe voltage (i.e., operation of bypass unit Q9 may allow continued safeoperating conditions).

Sensor/sensor interface 125 operatively attached to controller 105 mayinclude analog to digital converters (not shown) that may be connectedto sensors. The sensors may be configured to sense electrical parameterssuch as current, voltage and/or power of load 109, power device 107 andthe input and/or output parameters of power circuit 135 and power source101. Optionally, sensor/sensor interface may also include an energygauge to count coulombs (amperes per second) when either charging ordischarging a battery for example. The sensors may optionally be locatedand integrated inside power circuit 135 and/or network unit 112 and inother network units described below. The sensors may be optionallyspatially located in the vicinity of power device 107 and load 109respectively. Similarly, a sensor may be spatially located in thevicinity of power source 101. Additional sensors may be added andconfigured to sense, for example, temperature, humidity and luminance.

Reference is made to FIG. 1C, which shows a buck+boost circuitimplementation for power circuit 135, according to one or moreillustrative embodiments. Capacitor C1 may connect in parallel acrossthe positive and negative input terminals of the buck+boost circuitwhere the voltage is indicated as VIN. Capacitor C2 may connect inparallel across the positive and negative output terminals of thebuck+boost circuit where the voltage is indicated as VOUT. The sourcesof insulated gate field effect transistors (IGFETs) S3 and S2 connect tothe common negative output and input terminals of the buck+boostcircuit. The drain of switch S1 may connect to the positive inputterminal, and the source of switch S1 may connect to the drain of switchS3. The drain of switch S4 may connect to the positive output terminal,and the source of switch S4 may connect to the drain of switch S2.Inductor L1 may connect respectively between the drains of switches S3and S4. The gates of switches S1, S2, S3 and S4 may be operativelyconnected to controller 105 (see also FIG. 1B).

Switches S1, S2, S3 and S4 may be implemented, for example, using metaloxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), insulated gatebipolar transistors (IGBTs), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs),Darlington transistor, diode, silicon controlled rectifier (SCR), Diac,Triac or other semi-conductor switches. Similarly, implementation forpower circuit 135 may include, for example, a buck circuit, a boostcircuit, a buck/boost circuit, a Flyback circuit, a Forward circuit, acharge pump, a Cuk converter or any other circuit that may be used toconvert power on the input of power circuit 135 to the output of powercircuit 135.

Power circuit 135 may include or be operatively attached to a maximumpower point tracking (MPPT) circuit 138. MPPT circuit 138 may also beoperatively connected to controller 105 or another controller. MPPTcircuit 138 under control of controller 105, or a central controller maybe used to increase power extraction from power sources 101 and/or tocontrol voltage and/or current supplied to load 109 and power device 107in order to avoid damage to load 109 and power device 107. Control ofvoltage and/or current to load 109 and power device 107, might notnecessarily use the feature of increasing power from power sources 101,but rather may use MPPT circuit 138 to operate at a point in order toshed some of the power produced by power sources 101.

In the various aspects described above for power system 100, acommunication protocol used by communication interface 129 of FIG. 1B inone primary power module 103 may communicatively control one or moreother power modules 103 that are known as secondary power modules 103.Once a primary/secondary relationship is established, a direction ofcontrol may be from the primary power module 103 to the secondary powermodules 103. When one primary power module 103 experiences a reductionof power input (e.g., due to shading in the case of photovoltaic panelsused for power sources 101), and the outputs of power modules 103 areconnected in series, the power supply to power the primary module 130may be taken from the other power module 103 outputs (e.g., by couplingauxiliary power circuit 162 to an output of power circuit 135, which maybe coupled to conductors carrying power from other power modules 103. Inthe case of shading of a panel in a series string including powermodules 103 and/or other power modules as described below, a currentbypass may be applied to the respective power module 103 and panel.

A communication protocol may be implemented for the direction of controlbetween power modules and/or for transferring data and/or or commandsbetween power modules 103 and power device 107 using, for example powerline communication (PLC) techniques over power lines of power system 100and other power systems as described below. The communication protocolmay be implemented using near field communication (NFC), Wi-Fi™ toconnect to a wireless local area network (WLAN), BLUETOOTH™, ZIGBEE™WIMAX™, controller area network (CAN) bus, local interconnect network(LIN), or as described later optical communication protocols such asFiber Channel (FC), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), SynchronousOptical Networking (SONET) or Optical Transport Network (OTN), forexample. In some embodiments, communications may be implemented usingacoustic communication technology.

Power system 100 may be operably connected to a central controller (notshown), according to one or more illustrative embodiments. The centralcontroller may include a controller 105 coupled to a memory device 123and a communication interface 129. The central controller 105 mayreceive power supply in order to operate from power modules 103, from anadditional auxiliary power supply or from power device 107. Centralcontroller 105 may receive (e.g., from each power module 103) measuredelectrical parameters (e.g., current, voltage and/or power of load 109,power device 107 and/or the input and/or output of power circuit 135 andpower source 101) sensed by the sensors. In response to the sensedelectrical parameters of each power module 103, the central controllermay send appropriate control signals to each power module 103 of powersystem 100. Power modules 103, central controller 105 and indescriptions of other power modules that follow, may derive their powerneeded to operate on the output side of the power modules, from powerdevice 107 and/or auxiliary power circuits 162. Auxiliary power circuits162 may similarly derive their power needed to operate from the inputside or output side of the power modules or from a power device 107.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2A, which shows an isometric drawing ofdetails of network unit 112, according to one or more illustrativeembodiments. Network unit 112 may include an upper housing 220 a and alower housing 220 b. Network unit 112 may include a magnetic core thatmay include upper member 22 a and lower member 22 b that arerespectively housed in upper housing 220 a and lower housing 220 b.Upper member 22 a may be separable from lower member 22 b at an openingopposite hinge 24. Hinge is mounted to upper housing 220 a and lowerhousing 220 b. Upper member 22 a may be magnetically joined to lowermember 22 b at the opening opposite hinge 24 by use of fastener 28 thatmay establish a magnetic path in the magnetic core. Alternatively, themagnetic core may be constructed of one piece instead of two pieces suchas upper member 22 a and lower member 22 b and the one piece housed in asingle housing. In case the magnetic core is constructed as onemonolithic piece, a power line 120 may be passed through the magneticcore without utilizing a hinge.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2B, which shows another isometric drawingof details of network unit 112, according to one or more illustrativeembodiments. Upper housing 220 a is shown attached to lower housing 220b. Upper housing 220 a may be separable from lower housing 220 b at anopening opposite hinge 24, by use of hinge 28. A partial portion ofpower line 120 is shown inserted through the aperture between upperhousing 220 a and lower housing 220 b. Connection wires 23 may providepower and/or connection to associated transmitter, receiver and/ortransceiver circuits (not shown) located in lower housing 220 b.

Power to connection wires 23 in the descriptions that follow for thevarious embodiments of network units described herein may be supplied bya local power source for each network unit 112, to auxiliary powercircuit 162, existing DC or AC bus or power in proximity to a networkunit 112 that may be converted to DC power. Connection wires 23 may beself-fed by extracting magnetic power from power lines 120. For example,a strong PLC signal may be used to feed the power requirements ofnetwork unit 112. Alternatively, where DC plus and minus power lines 120are available, a direct electrical contact of connection wires may bemade to supply the power requirements of network unit 112. Coupling tosuperimpose and receive signals onto power lines 120 may not be viadirect electrical contact to power lines 120. In some embodiments,connection wires might not be used, with power for operating networkunit 112 provided by power lines 120 and communication taking place overpower lines 120 and/or via wireless communications.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2C, which shows further details of networkunit 112, according to one or more illustrative embodiments. Networkunit 112 may include a magnetic core that further includes upper member22 a and lower member 22 b. Upper and lower housings 220 a and 220 b arenot shown in order to simplify the drawing. Upper member 22 a may beseparable from lower member 22 b at opening 26. Upper member 22 a andlower member 22 b may pivot about hinge 24 as shown by respective arrows24 a and 24 b. Upper member 22 a may be magnetically joined to lowermember 22 b at opening 26 by use of fastener 28 to establish magneticpath MP1. A cross section of power line 120 is shown located in theaperture 29 formed between upper member 22 a and lower member 22 b whenupper member 22 a is fastened to lower member 22 b with fastener 28. Theaperture 29 formed between upper member 22 a and lower member 22 b whenupper member 22 a is fastened to lower member 22 b may be rectangular asshown, or aperture 29 formed between upper member 22 a and lower member22 b may be circular, elliptical, triangular, square, rectangular, or ina different polygon shape.

Network unit 112 may further include an inductor L2 that may be wound toform a coil around upper member 22 a and may be connected to transceiver20. Transceiver 20 may be connected bi-directionally to communicationinterface 129 so that signals from communication interface 129 totransceiver 20 may be transmitted by transceiver 20 and signals receivedby the receiver of transceiver 20 may be sent to communication interface129. Aperture 29 between upper member 22 a and lower member 22 b may beof such as size so that upper member 22 a when fastened to lower member22 b may cause power line 120 to be firmly clamped between upper member22 a and lower member 22 b. A number of network units 112 may further befurther mechanically mountable within a connection box, for example, ora number of network units 112 may be mechanically attached to eachother. Alternatively, the magnetic core may be constructed of one pieceinstead of two pieces, such as upper member 22 a and lower member 22 b.

A magnetic coupling or transformer effect between power line 120 andinductor L2 may allow signals from communication interface 129transmitted by the transmitter part of transceiver 20, to be inducedinto power line 120. Similarly, inductor L2 may allow signals present onpower line 120 to be induced into inductor L2 and therefore to bereceived by receiver portion of transceiver 20, which may then be passedinto communication interface 129. Connection wires 23 of FIG. 2B (notexplicitly shown) may provide power to transceiver 20 and/or allow thepassing of communication signals.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2D, which shows further details of networkunit 112, according to one or more illustrative embodiments. Upper andlower housings 220 a and 220 b are not shown in order to simplify thedrawing. Transceiver 20 may be separated into a separate receiver 20 aand transmitter 20 b. Both receiver 20 a and transmitter 20 b may beconnected to communication interface 129 and respective inductors L3 andL4. Inductor L3 may be wound to form a coil around upper member 22 a andinductor L4 may be wound to form a coil around lower member 22 b. Amagnetic coupling or transformer effect between power line 120 andinductor L3 may allow signals from communication interface 129transmitted by transmitter 20 b, to be induced into power line 120.Similarly, inductor L4 may allow signals present on power line 120 to beinduced into inductor L4 and therefore to be received by receiver 20 a,which may then be passed into communication interface 129. Connectionwires 23 of FIG. 2B (not explicitly shown) may provide power totransceiver 20, receiver 20 a and transmitter 20 b and/or allow thepassing of communication signals.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2E, which shows further details of networkunit 112, according to one or more illustrative embodiments. Upper andlower housings 220 a and 220 b are not shown in order to simplify thedrawing. FIG. 2E includes the same component parts as FIG. 2D, but bothinductors L3 and L4 connected to respective receiver 20 a andtransmitter 20 b are both wound to form a coil around upper member 22 a.Receiver 20 a and transmitter 20 b both may connect to communicationinterface 129. Communication interface 129, previously has beendescribed as being part of power modules 103 but may additionally be apart of power devices 107 and network units 112. Communication signalsconveyed between network units 112 and respective communicationinterfaces 129 in general may include control signals to control powermodules 103, for example, and to convey data to and from a controller orbetween power modules 103. The communication signals applied by networkunits 112 for communication signals maybe re-conditioned and re-repeatedbetween network units 112 placed at various locations in a power systeminstallation. Signals transmitted and received may include controlsignals, signals that identify a particular power module 103 and/orpower devices 107. Identification of power modules 103 and/or powerdevices 107 may allow an association between a group of power modules103 and a particular power device 107 for example. Signals may alsorepresent a parameter sensed in power system 100 at the variouselectrical connections of power system 100 and/or various topographiclocations of power sources 101, for example. The parameter may includevoltage, current, power, coulombic charge, level of solar irradiance ortemperature for example. For example, sensing of current may use a Halleffect sensor. Control signals based on the parameters sensed in powersystems 100 may then be conveyed to particular power modules 103 tocontrol the distribution of power to particular loads 109 or chargestorage devices, for example.

Connection wires 23 of FIG. 2B (not explicitly shown) may provide powerto transceiver 20, receiver 20 a and transmitter 20 b and/or allow thepassing of communication signals.

While FIGS. 2C, 2D and 2E show inductive coupling, alternatives toinductive coupling may be used, which may include capacitive coupling orby direct coupling by wire or resistor, for example. Further aspects ofcoupling to superimpose and receive signals onto power lines 120 may beby a variable capacitance which may be configured to substantially matchboth lumped and distributed impedances of the power lines 120 at variouspoints in power system 100. The matching of distributed and lumpedimpedances of and connected to the power lines 120 at various points inpower system 100 may be done to ensure that substantially most of thesignal power of signals may be superimposed and received respectivelyonto and from power lines 120. Substantially most of the signal power ofsignals superimposed and received respectively onto and from power lines120 may be at least one way of improving signal to noise ratios (SNRs)at various points in power system 100. The variable capacitance may beby a varicap diode and/or the variable capacitance may be provided by aswitched capacitor circuit controlled by controller 105 or a centralcontroller. Measurement of the various electrical parameters at variouspoints in power system 100 by sensors/sensor interfaces 125 andsubsequent analysis may deem that both the lumped and distributedimpedances of the power lines 120 and devices attached to power lines120 at various points to be detrimental for effective communications.For example, the communications applied by network units 112 forfacilitating monitoring, supplying and control of powers to loads 109from power modules 103 and power devices 107 may therefore be, accordingto features described above, to enable dynamic and/or staticallypredefined configurations of power system 100.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2F, which shows an isometric view of anetwork unit 112, according to one or more illustrative embodiments.Network unit 112 is made from a single housing 220, but may also be madefrom two housings 220 a and 220 b as described previously above withrespect to FIGS. 2A and 2B. Elliptical apertures 25 are shown that gothrough housing 220 where optional connection wires (e.g., connectionwires 23 of FIG. 2B) may be inserted and connected to provide power totransceiver 20, receiver 20 a and/or transmitter 20 b (not shown) thatmay be located in housing 220. Two power lines 120 are shown insertedthrough the aperture of housing 220, and network unit 112 may receiveand/or transmit communication signals over power lines 120.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2G, which shows an isometric view of amagnetic core 22, according to one or more illustrative embodiments. Insome embodiments, magnetic core 22 may comprise two parts, an uppermember and a lower member, similarly to as shown previously in FIGS. 2A,2B, 2C, 2D and 2E. In some embodiments, magnetic core 22 may comprise asingle, monolithic member. Inductors L3 and L4 may be wound aroundmagnetic core 22 to form respective coils around magnetic core 22.Inductors L3 and L4 may be further connected to respective receiver 20 aand transmitter 20 b (not shown). Magnetic core 22 may be located andhoused in a housing (e.g., 220). Alternatively, more than one magneticcore 22 may be located and housed in a housing (e.g. 220) such that forexample, one magnetic core 20 may have inductor L3 connected to receiver20 a, while another magnetic core 20 may have inductor L4 connected totransmitter 20 b (both not shown).

Reference is now made to FIG. 2H, which shows a plan view and FIG. 2Iwhich shows a cross sectional view A-A of network unit 112, according toone or more illustrative embodiments. With respect to the plan view, twopower lines 120 are shown going through the aperture of housing 220.With respect to the cross sectional view A-A, inductors L3 and L4 areshown wrapped around in coils of respective members of magnetic 22 shownlocated and mounted in housing 220. Power lines 120 are shown goingthrough the aperture of housing 220. Space between housing 220 andmagnetic core 22 may allow for the mounting and connection of additionalcomponent such as sensors/sensor interfaces 125, controllers 105,communication interfaces 129, receiver 20 a, transmitter 20 b, and/ortransceiver 20 (all not shown).

Reference is now made to FIG. 3A, which shows another isometric drawingof details of two network units 112, according to one or moreillustrative embodiments. A partial part of power line 120 is showninserted in between two upper and lower housings 220 a and 220 b of eachnetwork 112. Partial parts of upper members 22 a (shown by dotted lines)may be located in respective upper housings 220 a. Alternatively, thehousing of the magnetic core and the magnetic core for a network unit112 may each be constructed of one piece of material instead of twopieces, such as upper member 22 a/upper housing 220 a and lower member22 b/lower housing 220 b. The cross section of the aperture formedbetween upper housing 220 a and lower housing 220 b may be circular,elliptical, triangular, square, rectangular, or in a different geometricshape. Similarly, if both the housing of the magnetic core and themagnetic core for network unit 112 are each constructed of one piece ofmaterial instead of two, the aperture through a housing of the magneticcore and the magnetic core may be circular, elliptical, triangular,square, rectangular, or in a different geometric shape. The apertureformed between upper housing 220 a and lower housing 220 b may or mightnot physically clamp power lines 120. The apertures described above mayaccommodate the insertion of one or more power lines 120.

Power line 120 also may connect to a safety circuit 340 that may be afuse, circuit breaker or isolation switch, for example. Inductors L3 andL4 may be wound around the respective magnetic cores of upper members 22a and may be further connected to respective receiver 20 a andtransmitter 20 b. Alternatively, inductor L3 may be wound around themagnetic core of lower member 22 b and may be further connected to atransceiver 20 as shown in FIG. 2C, for example. Elliptical apertures 25are shown that go through lower housings 220 a where connection wires 23may be inserted and connected to provide power to transceiver 20,receiver 20 a, and/or transmitter 20 b.

FIG. 3A, which shows details of two network units 112 with each networkunits having separate magnetic cores, whereby one network unit 112houses receiver 20 a/inductor L3 and one network unit 112 housestransmitter 20 b/inductor L4. Alternatively, one network unit 112 mayhouse both transmitter 20 b and receiver 20 a and/or transceiver20/inductor L2 on one magnetic core on various locations of a magneticcore as shown in FIGS. 2C, 2D and 2E. Alternatively, one network unit112 may additionally house sensors/sensor interfaces 125, controllers105, and/or communication interfaces 129. Separating receiver 20 a andtransmitter 20 b into separate network units may be desirable, forexample, in order to provide network units to a particular system usingnetwork units 112 for transmission only (e.g., transmitting monitoredparameters to a logging and/or monitoring databases) or for receptiononly (e.g., to receive operational commands from a central controller).

Reference is now made to FIG. 3B, which shows multiple network units 112attached to a mounting plate 342, according to one or more illustrativeembodiments. Partial portions of power lines 120 are shown passingthrough network units 112 and may be attached to safety circuits 340.Mounting plate 342 may be mounted in a connection box (not shown)located at nodes A and B for example with reference to FIG. 1A. Othernetwork units described below may be similarly mounted in connectionboxes at various points in a power system for example. At nodes A and Bfor example, multiple power lines 120 from multiple parallel connectionconfigurations 111 may all be present in the connection box (e.g., astring combiner box). In the connection box, the multiple power lines120 may be often in close physical proximity to each other. The closeproximity of power lines 120 to each other may allow reduced costs bycoupling power lines 120 to network units 112 on a common mount or racksuch as mounting plate 342, for example.

In terms of communications, the multiple network units 112 connectionwires 23 may be further interconnected between elliptical apertures 25and attached to the communication interface of a power device 107, powermodules 103, and/or central controller that may be located within theconnection box and/or in proximity to the connection box.

By way of example, a pair of networks units 112 may be located inparallel to each other on respective corresponding positive and negativepower lines 120 used in power system 100. A differential comparison ofcurrents and/or voltages in positive and negative power lines mayindicate the possibility of leakage voltages and/or currents and/orarcing taking place in power system 100. All of the considerationsdescribed for the connection box may be applied to the descriptions thatfollow.

Reference is made to FIG. 3C, which shows multiple network units 112mounted in a connection box 350, according to one or more illustrativeembodiments. The multiple network units 112 are shown mounted on a DIN(Deutsches Institut für Normung) rail 354 that is mountably attached tothe back panel of connection box 350. Similarly, multiple circuitbreakers 356 are shown mounted on a DIN rail 354 that is mountablyattached to the back panel of connection box 350. Multiple power lines120 may be inserted though respective apertures of each network unit 112and terminated in a respective circuit breaker 356. Power lines 120 areshown entering through the bottom panel of connection box 350 throughcable openings 352. Connection box 350 may additionally include safetycircuits 340 (as shown in FIG. 3B) that may further include electricalisolators, circuit breakers 356, and residual current devices (RCDs).Connection box 350 may additionally include additional DIN rail 354 tomount additional terminal blocks for interconnecting power lines 120.Connection box 350 may additionally provide housing and connection ofpower modules, power devices, and control units.

Reference is made to FIG. 4A, which shows a block diagram of a powersystem 400 a, according to one or more illustrative embodiments. Aconnection configuration 111 a includes a power source 101 with directcurrent (DC) output terminals that may be connected to the inputterminals of power module 103. The input of power module 103 a maysimilarly be connected to the output of a power source 101. DC outputterminals of power modules 103 and the DC output terminals of powermodule 103 a in connection configuration 111 a may be connected inseries to give a series connection. The series connection may includethe DC outputs of power modules 103 connected in series with power lines120 to the bottom DC input of power module 103 a, and the top DC outputof power module 103 a connected to the electrical portion of power line420 a (shown by solid line) that includes a fiber optic portion (shownby dotted line). Multiple connection configurations 111 a may beconnected in parallel across the input of power device 107 that may be adirect current (DC) to DC converter or may be a DC to alternatingcurrent (AC) inverter supplying power to load 109. Load 109 may be abattery, an alternating current (AC) grid or a DC grid, or a DC to ACinverter. Network unit 112 may be attached to power lines 120/420 a atvarious locations such as the top of a series string of power module 103outputs, at connection nodes A and/or B or at power device 107. Ingeneral, any number of network units 112/412 a may be attached to powerlines 120/420 a at any number of locations of power system 400 a. Theattachment of network units 112/412 a to power lines 120/420 a mayinclude electrical-mechanical, optoelectronic-mechanical, andelectromagnetic-mechanical mechanisms.

Power module 103 a may be the same as power module 103 but may alsofurther include a network unit 412 a operatively attached to acommunication interface similar to a communication interface 129 of apower module 103. Network unit 412 a may be an integral part of a powermodule 103 a. Network unit 412 a may be operatively attached tocommunication interface 129 of a power module 103 or operably attachedto a similar communication interface of power device 107.

Network unit 412 a may be attached to power lines 420 a at variouslocations such as the top of the series string of power modules 103/103a outputs, at connection nodes A and/or B or at power device 107. Ingeneral, any number of network units 412 a may be attached to powerlines 420 a at any number of locations. Power lines 420 a may include afiber optic cable (shown in dotted line) integrated with a power cable(shown by solid line) that is similar to power line 120.

Network unit 412 a may be connected to a network unit 112 to enablecommunication of both transmitted and received signals betweenrespective power modules 103 a and power modules 103. A feature ofnetwork unit 412 a may be to combine an optical-cable integrated powerline with electro-magnetic circuitry of network unit 112 so as totransmit and receive signals using power line communications over powerlines 120 and the power cable portion (shown by solid line) of powerline 420 a as described above with respect to the features of networkunit 112) as described above with respect FIGS. 2C, 2D and 2E.

Network unit 412 a may be further used to enable communication of bothtransmitted and received signals between power modules 103 a and powerdevices 107 connected by power line 420 a. The connection to enablecommunication between power modules 103 a and power devices 107 may usethe fiber optic portion of power line 420 a (shown by dotted line) oruse the electrically conductive portion of power line 420 a (shown bysolid line) for power line communications (PLCs) as described above withrespect FIGS. 2C, 2D and 2E.

The signals transmitted and received may include control signals,signals which identify a particular power module 103/103 a and/or powerdevice 107. Identification of power modules 103/103 a and/or powerdevice 107 may allow an association between a group of power modules103/103 a and a particular power device 107, for example. Signals mayalso represent a parameter sensed in power systems 100/400 a at thevarious electrical connections of power system 100 and/or topographiclocations of power sources 101, for example. The parameter may includevoltage, current, power, coulombic charge, level of solar irradiance, ortemperature, for example. Control signals based on the parameters sensedin power systems 100/400 a may then be conveyed to particular powermodules 103/103 a to control the parameters sensed in power systems100/400 a.

Reference is made to FIG. 4B, which shows further details of networkunit 412 a, according to one or more illustrative embodiments. Networkunit 412 a includes a connection housing 440 for a fiber optic connectorF1. Connection housing 440 may include a receiver 450 a connected to aphoto-diode PD1 that receives light from fiber optic connector F1. Fiberoptic connector F1 may connect to the fiber optic cable of power line420 a. Photodiode PD1 may convert the received light from fiber opticconnector F1 into an electrical signal that is applied to the input ofreceiver 450 a. Receiver 450 a may decode the electrical signal intodata on data output 430 and may provide indication of a detected signalat detected signal output 432. Both data output 430 and detected signaloutput 432 may be coupled to a communications interface such ascommunications interface 129.

Network unit 412 a may further include a connection housing 442 for afiber optic connector F2. Connection housing 442 includes a transmitter420 b connected to a laser diode LD1 that transmits light from fiberoptic connector F2. Fiber optic connector F2 may connect to the fiberoptic cable of power line 420 a. Laser diode LD1 converts the data ondata input 434 from an electrical signal to a light signal fortransmission on fiber optic connector F2. Multiple connection housings440 and 442 may be included in network unit 412 a.

Transmitter 420 b and receiver 450 a of network unit 412 a may beoperatively attached to a communication interface similar to acommunication interface 129 of a power module 103. The communicationinterface in power modules 103/103 a and power devices 107 may beoperatively attached to transmitter 420 b and receiver 450 a of networkunit 412 a. In general, according to various features described above,network units 112 and/or 412 a may be integrated into power modules103/103 a, and/or power devices 107.

Communication interfaces 129 may be attached to or be an integral partof power modules 103/103 a, power devices 107 and network units 112/412a. As such, communication interfaces 129 according to embodimentsdescribed above are able to interface to allow communication of signalsusing Power Line Communication (PLC) technology that enables sendingdata over existing power cables, or wireless technologies such asZIGBEE™, Wi-Fi, cellular communication or other wireless methods.Communication interface 129 may also include a mechanism foropto-electronic communication that includes optical fibers to conveydata and/or commands from and to other devices. Network units 112/412 amay be connected to various parts of power systems 100/400 ainstallation via communication interfaces 129 that may be configured toenable signals to be superimposed onto power lines 120/420 a and to bereceived from off power lines 120/420 a via network units 112/412 a.Coupling between the network units 112/412 a and the power lines 120/420a may be an electromagnetic coupling, a capacitive or a direct coupling.

Sensors/sensor interfaces 125 connected to communication interfaces 129and network units 112/412 a may enable sensing of parameters such aspowers, currents, voltages, coulombs, characteristic impedance andtemperatures of their respective inputs and outputs, and may be used toassess the best way of superimposing communication and control signalsonto power lines 120/420 a and receiving communication and controlsignals off power lines 120/420 a. Based on the assessment, signals maybe conveyed instead via wireless technology or by use of fiber optictransceivers and fiber optic cables, for example. The fiber optic cablesmay be an integral part of the power lines 120/420 a. Communicationsignals in general may include control signals to control power modules103/103 a, for example, and to convey data to and from a controller 105or between power modules 103/103 a. The communication signals applied bythe network units 112/412 a for communication signals maybere-conditioned and re-repeated between network units 112/412 a. Networkunits 112/412 a placed at various locations in the power systems 100/400a installations, for example.

According to some illustrative embodiments, DC power sources areconnected to a load and/or a storage device via multiple power modulesto for a power system. Network units placed at various points in powersystem may allow communication between various parts of power system toallow the sensing and conveying of sensed parameters to a controller tomonitor and control, for example, the power modules. The power modulesmay control power such that a load and/or a storage device may match theDC power from the DC power sources, in which power may be shed from theload and/or the storage device. Optionally, DC power from the storagedevice may be matched and supplied to the load, or optionally DC powerfrom the DC power sources may be matched and supplied to the load. Tocontrol power, the power modules may include sensors capable of sensingparameters such as powers, currents, voltages, coulombs, andtemperatures of their respective inputs and outputs.

According to some illustrative embodiments, network units may beconnected to various parts of a power system installation and may beconfigured to enable signals to be superimposed onto power lines and tobe received from off power lines. Coupling between the network units andthe power lines may be an electromagnetic coupling, a capacitive or adirect coupling. Sensors capable of sensing parameters such as powers,currents, voltages, coulombs, characteristic impedance and temperaturesof their respective inputs and outputs may be used to assess thefeasibility of superimposing communication and control signals ontopower lines and receiving communication and control signals off powerlines. Based on the assessment, signals may be conveyed instead viawireless technology or by use of fiber optic transceivers and fiberoptic cables, for example. The fiber optic cables may be an integralpart of the power lines. Communication signals in general may includecontrol signals to control power modules for example and to convey datato and from a controller or between power modules. The communicationsignals applied by the network units for communication signals maybere-conditioned and re-repeated between network units placed at variouslocations in the power system installation.

According to some illustrative embodiments, the state of charge ofstorage devices may be sensed and communicated between various parts ofthe power system by use of the network units. Upon the sensed charge ofthe storage device being above a first predetermined level of state ofcharge, the power stored in the storage device may be supplied to aload, whereby the stored charge of the storage device is discharged tothe load. Upon the sensed charge of the storage device being below asecond predetermined level of state of charge, the storage device maythen be charged and power to the load may be supplied responsive to themeasured power.

According to some illustrative embodiments, a power circuit may beconnected at its output to a load and to a storage device. A switch maybe provided at an output terminal of the power circuit, to enableconnection or disconnection between the output terminal of the powercircuit and an input terminal of the storage device. Control of theswitch may be based on communications between network units in the powersystem, which may convey measured parameters of the power system to acontroller. With the switch in an ON position, the load and the storagedevice are connected in parallel across an output terminal of the powercircuit. With the switch in an OFF position, the load remains connectedacross the output terminal of the power circuit, and the storage deviceis disconnected from the output terminal of the power circuit. In thecontext of a photovoltaic (PV) panel implementation of a power system,operation of the switch in the ON position may allow power to besupplied to the load and to the storage device when power from a powersource (e.g., solar panel) providing power to the power circuit issufficient (e.g., during the daytime). Operation of the switch in an OFFposition may allow power to be supplied to the load if charging of thestorage device is to be avoided, such as when the storage device isalready substantially fully charged, or to reduce the number of chargingcycles of the storage device, or when power from the power sourcesupplying power to the power circuit is insufficient to both power theload and the charge the storage device. When power from the power sourceis insufficient (e.g., during the nighttime), the switch may be placedin the ON position, allowing power from the storage device to be appliedto the load.

According to some illustrative embodiments, the groups of DC powersources may include groups of DC power sources where the direct currentto supply a load and/or a storage device may be derived from renewableenergy sources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, andgeothermal heat. Devices that convert these renewable energy sourcesinclude for example photovoltaic solar generators, wind generators andwind turbines. The groups of DC power sources may also include groups ofDC power sources where the direct current is derived from non-renewableenergy sources. Devices that convert these non-renewable energy sourcesinto DC power to supply a load and/or a storage device may includepetrol, oil and gas generators and/or turbines for example. The directcurrent may also be derived from rectified or converted sources ofalternating current provided from a switched mode power supply, dynamoor alternator for example.

According to some illustrative embodiments, DC power sources in a DCpower system are interconnected to various groups of DC sources. Eachgroup of DC sources may contain different types of DC power derived fromboth renewable and non-renewable energy sources, so that the DC powergenerated may be configured to meet the criteria of providing anuninterruptable source of DC power to a load from the DC power sourcesand/or to store some of the DC power in a storage device. A part of thecriteria may be to utilize energy previously stored in the storagedevice to subsequently supply power and what might be considered to beemergency power to the load when the DC sources are not able to producepower owing to lack of sunlight, wind and/or fuel for example.

According to some illustrative embodiments, DC power sources may includea connection of DC sources to a load and/or storage device via multiplepower modules. The power modules may control power responsive to sensedparameters communicated between various parts of the power system by useof the network units. Control may be such that the load and/or storagemay match the DC power from the DC power sources, power may be shed fromthe load and/or storage. Optionally DC power from storage device may bematched and supplied to the load or optionally DC power from the DCpower sources may be matched and supplied to the load. To control power,the power modules may include the capability of sensing parameters suchas powers, currents, voltages, coulombs, temperatures of theirrespective inputs and outputs via sensors to a controller.

According to some illustrative embodiments, the power modules maycontrol power to the load and/or storage device according to a loadprofile. The load profile may include an information update viacommunication interfaces included in the power modules that communicatewith each other via the network units to receive weather informationsuch as present and forecasted temperature, wind speed, cloud cover andamount of sunlight for example. The load profile may also includeupdated information with regards to an updatable load demand history ofthe power system with reference to daily and nightly demand, weekdaydemand and monthly demand. The updatable load demand history of thepower system may also take into account the amount of fuel and cost offuel available to utilize petrol, oil and gas generators and/or turbinesinstead of using other types of DC power provisioning, for example.

According to some illustrative embodiments, the power modules maycontrol power to the load and/or storage device according to a chargeprofile of a storage device. Using the example of a battery for thestorage device, the charge profile may ensure optimal charging of thebattery that may prefer a constant voltage level or constant current forat least a minimum period of time. The charge profile may also specifycontrol of the temperature of the battery during charging via thenetwork units, which may improve the performance and/or reliability ofthe battery, since the battery may need to stay cool when being chargedso as to ensure optimal charging.

According to some illustrative embodiments, consideration may be givento different types of batteries when charging and discharging to ensurethat correct voltages, currents, temperatures and appropriate timeperiods of charge and discharge are monitored, controlled via thenetwork units and applied to batteries so as to avoid damage to thebatteries. In addition, the charge profile may include reconfigurationof the charge profile based on data of the transfer of charge and/ordischarge of a battery in order to access the ageing and use ofbatteries. Such data logging via the network units may then be used toprovide an estimate of projected battery life and timing of batterymaintenance and replacement for example.

According to some illustrative embodiments, the power modules may beconfigurable via the network units to control the delivery of power ofthe DC sources to a load and/or a storage device. The power modules maybe configurable via the network units to control the delivery of powerto a load from energy previously stored in the storage device. The powermodules may be configurable to control the delivery of power to a loadfrom both the DC power sources and the storage device together.

According to some illustrative embodiments, a method for a power systemthat may include a controller, multiple DC power sources, multiple DCpower modules, multiple bi-directional power modules and multiplestorage devices. In the method, each of the power sources may be coupledto a respective DC power module. The power modules outputs may becoupled in a connection that may be a series connection of the powermodules outputs, to form thereby, a serial string of power moduleoutputs. The connection may also be a parallel connection of the powermodules outputs. The serial string or the parallel connection may becoupled to a load and may be also coupled to the bi-directional powermodules. Each of the bi-directional power modules may be coupled torespective storage devices. Power of each of the power sources may bemeasured by sensors provided with each of the power modules.

According to some illustrative embodiments, upon the power beingmeasured, a signal may be transmitted by a network unit to the powermodule and/or a bi-directional power modules. The signal sent to powermodules via the network units may serve the function of instructing thepower modules to shut down completely (e.g., using an explicit message)due, for example, to a safety condition in the power system, to reducepower (e.g., an explicit message or lack of a signal) in order to shedpower, to let the power modules to continue to control power at thepresent level or to increase power to a load and/or storage device. Ingeneral, the supply of power to the load and/or storage device may becontrolled responsive to the power measured. The load may comprisemultiple loads, and multiple DC power modules may be respectivelycoupled between the serial string and the loads so that loads withdifferent voltage levels and current requirements may be accommodated.Similarly, different types of storage devices may also includerespective bi-direction power modules so as to accommodate the differentvoltage levels and current level requirements such as constant voltageor constant current for charging the storage device for example. Thebi-directional nature of the power modules of respective storage devicesalso allow the accommodation and provision of the different voltagelevels and current level requirements of the multiple loads, when powerto the loads is provided from the storage devices.

According to some illustrative embodiments, the control of powersupplied to the load via a network unit may further include at least oneof the storage devices to be depleted prior to subsequent charging ofthe at least one storage device, thereby mitigating damage to the atleast one storage device. The at least one storage device depleted mayadditionally demand that at least one of the other the storage devicesremains substantially charged so that it may be used in an emergencysituation for example or to satisfy a requirement that a minimal amountenergy is always available to be supplied.

It is noted that various connections are set forth between elementsherein. These connections are described in general and, unless specifiedotherwise, may be direct or indirect; this specification is not intendedto be limiting in this respect. Further, although elements herein aredescribed in terms of either hardware or software, they may beimplemented in either hardware and/or software. Additionally, elementsof one embodiment may be combined with elements from other embodimentsin appropriate combinations or sub-combinations. For example, sensor(s),power source(s), storage element(s), and interconnections of oneembodiment may be combined with similar elements of another embodimentand used in any combination or sub combination. For example, networkunit 112 may be combined with network unit 412 a so that the fiber optictransceiver part may provide communications between parts of powersystems 100/400 a when good PLC communications in certain sections ofpower systems 100/400 a may be difficult to achieve. Another example maybe the possible use of network units 112/412 as repeaters and/or tore-condition signals sent between various sections of power systems100/400 a. Further, the detachable/reconnectable nature of network units112/412 may also allow for a retrofit of an existing power system sothat power produced may be monitored and controlled via use of networkunits 112/400 a.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodimentsdetailed above may be combined in suitable combinations and thatportions of the embodiments may be unitized in various sub combinations.For example, network units 112 of FIG. 3C may be designed and disposedin a connection box 350 and may communicate with additional networkunits 112 designed as shown as FIG. 2A and installed as part aconnection configuration 111 as shown in FIG. 1A.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power system comprising: a plurality of directcurrent (DC) power sources coupled to respective inputs of a pluralityof power modules, wherein the outputs of the power modules are connectedtogether with a plurality of first power lines in series to form aserial string; at least one power device with an input connected acrossthe serial string; wherein the power modules include: at least onecommunication interface; at least one sensor interface operativelyattached to the at least one communication interface, wherein the atleast one sensor interface includes at least one sensor configured tosense at least one parameter in the serial string; at least one networkunit operatively attached to at least one of the first power lines andthe at least one communication interface, the at least one network unitis operable to: superimpose a first signal representative of the atleast one parameter onto the first power lines, thereby to transmit thefirst signal to at least one of the other power modules or to the atleast one power device; and receive a second signal of the at least oneparameter superimposed onto the first power lines from another networkunit.
 2. The power system of claim 1, wherein the at least one networkunit comprises: a magnetic core with at least one aperture therethrough,wherein a power line is insert-able through the at least one aperture;an inductor coil, wherein the wrapping of the inductor coil in turns onthe magnetic core pass at least once through the at least one aperture;a transceiver operatively attached to the inductor coil, wherein thetransceiver is operable to superimpose a signal onto the power line orto receive a signal present on the power line when the power line isinserted through the at least one aperture.
 3. The power system of claim2, wherein the at least one aperture has a cross section selected fromthe group consisting of: a circular cross section, an elliptical crosssection, a square cross section, a rectangular cross section, atriangular cross section pentagonal cross section, and a hexagonal crosssection.
 4. The power system of claim 2, wherein the magnetic corecomprises two members attachable and re-attachable to each other to formthereby the at least one aperture.
 5. The power system of claim 2,wherein the transceiver is operatively attached to the at least onecommunication interface.
 6. The power system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one network unit is attachable or re-attachable to at least onelocation on at least one of the first power lines.
 7. The power systemof claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter is selected from thegroup of parameters consisting of: voltage, current, power, temperature,coulombic charge, and solar irradiance.
 8. The power system of claim 1,wherein the first signal or the second signal is a control signalconfigured to control the power modules.
 9. The power system of claim 1,wherein the first signal or the second signal is a signal representativeof the at least one parameter sensed by the at least one sensor.
 10. Thepower system of claim 1, wherein the first signal is superimposed ontothe first power lines by a coupling between the network unit and thefirst power lines selected from the group of couplings consisting: anelectromagnetic coupling, a capacitive coupling, and a direct coupling.11. The power system of claim 1, wherein the second signal is receivedfrom the first power lines by a coupling between the network unit andthe first power lines selected from the group of couplings consistingof: an electromagnetic coupling, a capacitive coupling, and a directcoupling.
 12. The power system of claim 1, wherein the first signal andthe second signal are respectively superimposed and received onto thefirst power lines by a variable capacitance configurable to correct theinductive reactance of the first power lines.
 13. The power system ofclaim 12, wherein the variable capacitance is a varicap diode.
 14. Thepower system of claim 12, wherein the variable capacitance is a switchedcapacitor circuit.
 15. The power system of claim 1, wherein the firstsignal and the second signal are respectively superimposed and receivedonto the first power lines by a coupling between the network unit andthe first power lines, wherein the coupling is by a variable capacitanceconfigurable to substantially correct the inductive reactance of thefirst power lines.
 16. The power system of claim 1, wherein the firstsignal and the second signal are respectively superimposed and receivedonto the first power lines by a coupling between the network unit andthe first power lines, wherein the coupling is by a filter configurableto allow a bandwidth of the first signal and the second signal to berespectively superimposed and received onto the first power lines.
 17. Apower system comprising: a plurality of direct current (DC) powersources coupled to respective inputs of a plurality of power modules,wherein the outputs of the power modules are connected together with aplurality of first power lines in series to form a serial string; atleast one power device with an input connected across the serial stringby a plurality of second power lines, wherein the second power linesinclude a fiber optic portion; wherein the power modules include: atleast one communication interface; at least one sensor interfaceoperatively attached to the at least one communication interface,wherein the at least one sensor interface includes at least one sensorconfigured to sense at least one parameter in the serial string; atleast one network unit operatively attached to at least one of thesecond power lines and the at least one communication interface, the atleast one network unit is operable to: superimpose a first opticalsignal representative of the at least one parameter onto the fiber opticportion of the second power lines, thereby to transmit the first opticalsignal to at least one of the other power modules or to the at least onepower device; and receive a second optical signal of the at least oneparameter superimposed onto the fiber optic portion of the second powerlines from another network unit.
 18. The power system of claim 17,wherein the at least one network unit comprises: a magnetic core with atleast one aperture therethrough, wherein a power line is insert-ablethrough the at least one aperture; an inductor coil, wherein thewrapping of the inductor coil in turns on the magnetic core pass atleast once through the at least one aperture; a transceiver operativelyattached to the inductor coil, wherein the transceiver is operable tosuperimpose a signal onto the power line or to receive a signal presenton the power line when the power line is inserted through the at leastone aperture.
 19. The power system of claim 18, wherein the at least oneaperture has a cross section selected from the group consisting of: acircular cross section, an elliptical cross section, a square crosssection, a rectangular cross section, a triangular cross sectionpentagonal cross section, and a hexagonal cross section.
 20. A networkunit comprising: a magnetic core with at least one aperturetherethrough, wherein a first power line is insert-able through the atleast one aperture; an inductor coil, wherein the wrapping of theinductor coil in turns on the magnetic core pass at least once throughthe at least one aperture; a transceiver operatively attached to theinductor coil, wherein the transceiver is operable to superimpose asignal onto the first power line or to receive a signal present on thefirst power line when the first power line is inserted through the atleast one aperture, wherein the network unit is operable to:superimpose, onto the first power line, a first signal representative ofat least one parameter of a serial string of power modules connectedwith a plurality of power lines that includes the first power line,thereby to transmit the first signal to at least one of the powermodules; and receive a second signal of the at least one parametersuperimposed onto the first power line from another network unit.